Virginia was born and raised in Woodstock, Ontario. She worked as a bookkeeper, secretary and security investigator before moving to London, Ontario to begin her seminary studies at Huron College, graduating in 1976. She was ordained a Deacon in 1976 and a Priest in 1977.
She served as Assistant Curate at St. Aidan’s, London (1976 - 1977) and Rector of St. Hilda’s & St. Luke’s in St. Thomas (1977 -1982) and then began a doctoral programme and graduated from Boston University with her Doctor of Ministry degree in 1991. After several years of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), Virginia was certified as full CPE Teaching Supervisor and an Associate Teaching
Supervisor in Pastoral Counselling.
In 1988 Virginia was hired by Vancouver General Hospital as the first Director of Pastoral Care to establish and develop the department as well as the CPE Internship & Residency programmes. For over 25 yrs. Virginia engaged in ministry as a Chaplain Educator, serving primarily in the hospital setting in both Canada and the United States.
During the whole time that Virginia served in the hospital and/or university setting as a Teaching Supervisor, she served as an Honorary Assistant in the parish that she attended. She also served as a ‘supply priest’ in the various dioceses that she was living in. Virginia has always believed that it has been important for her ministry to stay rooted and grounded in the parish, hence the 12 years she served at St. Paul’s Cathedral here in London since her retirement from full-time ministry.
Virginia strongly believes in the importance of ‘exercise’ as this has definitely helped her in ‘living & coping’ with Parkinson’s. She has had a life-long passion for swimming, is a member of the London Silver Dolphins and still competes at local, provincial and national levels. She is also a member of ‘walking group’ and in the past has enjoyed hiking in the Canadian Rockies and kayaking. She also enjoys sitting quietly with a good book, something to stimulate the brain.
